Dust down your cocktail dresses and dinner suits, Islander Bethany Coates is organising a charity ball for next month and it’ll be a great way to start the festive season.
Taking place at the beautiful East Dene in Bonchurch, the event aims to raise £4,000 for a small community in Moeba, Sierra Leone, the poorest country in the world.
Live music throughout the night
Tickets for the event, which takes place on 3rd December are £25 and this includes a buffet, free drink, and entertainment.
Already confirmed are Laura Reid and the Mighty Chancers.
Ticket info
Tickets can be purchased by emailing [email protected] or calling 07930 147433 or 07866 921494 or at Music Shop in Ventnor (cash payments only).
Background on project
Health and nutrition indicators remain among the worst in the world.
A large proportion of youth, who include many former combatants, are unemployed or underemployed, yet Sierra Leone is rich in mineral resources, possessing some of the most commercially valuable mineral reserves in the world, many of which are found in significant quantities.
The country has relied on mining, especially diamonds, for its economic base. Sierra Leone is slowly emerging from a protracted civil war and is showing signs of a successful transition. They need our help now.
Already donated on vehicle
Bethany has travelled to Moeba, where she was involved in a volunteer project. She tells us that she came across a small church that had a big dream. They take children in from the streets and teach them for free, in a community where school is not an option. Many parents cannot afford for their children to attend school. Currently there is one classroom at the side of the church housing 625 pupils. We need to make sure that children are taken out of work.
These people are part of the stone breaking community, quarrying rock. Bethany was touched by the work these people had achieved so far and left the jeep she’d bought with them, letting them know that others do care.
This has helped tremendously, and is just a small step. She says that she were able to supply them with a larger vehicle they could deliver their own rock, cutting out shipping costs and gaining independence. This in turn would help build a sustainable business to support the valuable work of the church.
